Acting on a tip-off, the LT Marg police have seized Rs 2.3 crore in cash and detained 12 suspects. According to the police, they received a tip-off on November 7. “We received information that a person would be coming to the Bhuleshwar market area, and we acted on it,” the police stated. Upon inquiry with the suspects, the seized bags were found to contain cash worth Rs 2,30,86,900. Following the procedure, the LT Marg police informed the officials in the Flying Squad Team (FST), and the Income Tax officials were also alerted about the cash seizure. The Income Tax officials have detained 12 suspects, and further investigation is underway.
08 November,2024 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheIt has been 26 days since Baba Siddique, a leader of the NCP’s Ajit Pawar faction, was gunned down in police protection on a busy street in Bandra on October 12. While multiple teams from the Crime Branch have arrested 16 individuals in connection with the case, the main conspirator and the shooter remain at large. Authorities have stated they are close to uncovering the motive and making a breakthrough in the case in the coming days. The Crime Branch believes that the main conspirator, Shubham Lonkar, may have fled the country via Nepal, and a Look Out Circular (LOC) has been issued for him. The shooter, Shivkumar Gautam, along with another key conspirator, Jisan Akhatar, are believed to be hiding somewhere in India. “We are very close and have gathered crucial clues about their whereabouts within the country. Multiple teams are actively working on the case, and we expect a breakthrough soon,” said a senior officer from the Crime Branch. Lonkar is believed to be a key conspirator with direct links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Officials have found that he was receiving instructions from Anmol Bishnoi, who is currently detained in the USA. Anmol has already been named a wanted accused in the case. Authorities believe that Lonkar’s arrest will provide more clarity on the motive and planning behind the murder. Lonkar was the one who took responsibility for the murder on Facebook on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. On Wednesday, the Crime Branch arrested the 16th accused in the case, identified as 23-year-old Gaurav Apune from Pune. Officials stated that Apune was part of the conspiracy and actively participated in the planning. He was involved with Ram Kanaujia, who was initially hired to kill Siddiqui but delayed the job, demanding R1 crore. As a result, Lonkar hired the absconding accused Shivkumar Gautam and other members from a Uttar Pradesh module for the job. Officials said that Apune, a barber inspired by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, participated in firing practice and played a key role in procuring the weapons. He is also considered one of the shooters from the Kanaujia gang. “A person named Gaurav Vilas Apune, aged 23, a resident of Karve Nagar, Pune has been apprehended in Pune and formally arrested. His involvement in the case has been confirmed. The investigation revealed that he was fully aware of the intended target and participated in the conspiracy, with the promise of significant compensation from the absconding accused. The absconding accused also provided him with weapon-handling training,” said Datta Nalawade, DCP, Crime Branch. The Crime Branch has stated they are close to uncovering the motive behind Siddique’s murder but continue to probe the SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) angle raised by Zeeshan Siddique, the victim’s son. Officials have received documents from the Slum Rehabilitation Authorities and are examining the records. Multiple statements from individuals linked to the SRA have already been recorded. In the coming days, officials plan to question builders who have SRA projects, based on suspicions raised by Siddique’s son.
08 November,2024 08:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanA Raipur-based lawyer, Fayzan Khan, claims his stolen phone was used to issue a threat to Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, asserting he is not involved in the incident. Khan, who reported his phone stolen on November 2, recently filed a complaint with the Rajasthan and Mumbai Police against Shah Rukh Khan for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Bishnoi community. The complaint centres around a dialogue in Khan’s 1994 film “Anjaam”, where he says, “HARI SINGH GADI ME HIRAN PADA HAI, USE PAKA KAR KHA LENNA,” which, according to Fayzan, could create tension between the Muslim and Bishnoi communities. “I filed this complaint on October 29, and my phone was stolen in early November. Someone has used my phone to frame me in a false case after I filed the complaint against the actor,” Khan told mid-day. Khan further revealed that two teams from the Mumbai Police came to his home intending to arrest him. However, he presented his stolen phone complaint, proving his lack of involvement in the threat case. According to Bandra Police, the threat call was made to their station’s landline on November 5. The caller allegedly said, “Shah Rukh Khan, the one at Mannat, Bandstand… if he doesn’t give me Rs 50 lakh, I will kill him.” When officers questioned the caller’s identity, he responded, “That doesn’t matter… if you need a name, write it as Hindustani.” Police investigations traced the call to Raipur, identifying the phone’s registration under Fayzan Khan’s name. “An offense has been registered at Bandra police station, and investigations are ongoing. No arrests have been made yet,” said Dixitkumar Gedam, DCP Zone 09. Oct 29Day complaint was filed against Shah Rukh Khan
08 November,2024 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanA bunch of brave children from Kandivli did something most adults would hesitate to do: they took on a chain-snatcher who attempted to rob a 10-year-old girl of her gold pendant on Tuesday afternoon. Armed with sticks, they chased him for some distance but ultimately had to retreat after the robber flashed a knife. The 10-year-old victim lives in Kandivli with her family and sister. Her father, a vegetable vendor, told mid-day that she had gone out to purchase washing soap when the accused tried to snatch the pendant from her neck. The pendant’s string didn’t break on the first pull, as it was strong. The girl began screaming in pain, which alerted children playing nearby. They rushed to her aid, but upon seeing the knife in the accused’s hand, they quickly pulled back. Despite this, the boys didn’t lose courage and continued to pursue the robber. However, when he brandished the knife again, they were forced to stop. The incident occurred on Tuesday around 3.30 pm. One of the children told mid-day, “We were playing a game of lock-and-key in the area. Suddenly, the accused appeared and snatched the gold pendant from the girl. We immediately started running after him, shouting for help and yelling ‘chor... chor...’ (thief, thief).” Shivam Gupta was the first to chase him, with the other children close behind, continuing to shout “chor... chor...” as they ran. At one point, the accused pulled out a knife, threatening to harm anyone who came closer. Another child added, “We were playing with a wooden stick in hand. We stopped when he threatened us with the knife, but after a few seconds, he started running again. We chased him through three alleys of the chawl, but he disappeared after the third one.” A local resident shared with mid-day, “This is the third time the same man has committed a crime in this area. We recognised him by a tattoo on his hand. He is a known drug addict and alcoholic. Unfortunately, he managed to escape with the girl’s gold pendant.” As more people gathered upon hearing the commotion, no one dared approach the thief, intimidated by the weapon he held. Amid the chaos, the accused quickly fled the scene. Based on the victim’s mother’s complaint, an FIR was registered under various sections of the BNS. Under the guidance of DCP Anand Bhoite, Senior Police Inspector D Ganore, Police Inspector Haresh Gavli, and API Sohan Kadam, along with HC Shrikant Tavde, Rajesh Gaonkar, Sanjay Kesarkar, and Dada Godke, an investigation was launched. Upon reaching the scene, they reviewed CCTV footage from the nearby area, which clearly captured the accused. In one video, the suspect was immediately identified as a habitual offender with similar cases against him at the Kandivli police station. The accused, identified as Nitish Walmiki, 30, a resident of Chawl No 207, Ekta Nagar, Kandivli West, is a serial chain-snatcher with two prior cases of snatching registered against him. The stolen pendant, valued at approximately Rs 8,000, has been seized by the police. The accused was arrested, presented in court, and has been remanded into police custody until today (Friday), the officer added. 10Age of the girl who was robbed
08 November,2024 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan | Shirish VaktaniaThe Mumbai police are on the lookout for a fake doctor and his gang, who doled out multiple ‘ayurvedic treatments’ and performed ‘surgeries’ on numerous senior citizens. The quack, who sometimes goes by Zaffar Merchant, was booked after an Andheri woman whose mother was targeted by the conman in 2021 recently approached the Oshiwara police with photographs of him. The Andheri woman, 61, had read about the plight of a woman from Kurla whose mother was similarly targeted and had a hunch that the accused was the same person whom she had encountered three years ago. Using these photographs of the man taken by the woman at the time, the police identified the accused and verified that he had recently conned the woman from Kurla. Further investigation revealed that he was involved in over 30-40 cases across Vile Parle, Andheri, Cuffe Parade, Kurla and Vadodara in Gujarat. On Tuesday, three years after receiving a complaint against Merchant and his gang, the Oshiwara police registered an FIR. Three years ago Merchant had allegedly removed a whitish fluid mixed with blood from the knee of the Andheri woman’s 81-year-old mother. He repeated the ‘procedure’ about 120 times over two and a half hours, charging Rs 7.2 lakh for the ‘surgery’. Speaking to mid-day, a member of the Andheri victim’s family recalled, “In 2021, an unknown person approached my mother at a dental clinic in Andheri, inquiring about her knee pain. He claimed that his own mother had been cured by Merchant, who performed a minor procedure at home. After discussing it at home, we decided to call the doctor.” “Merchant visited with his equipment, made cuts on both knees and extracted a whitish fluid, placing it on a white paper. He also used turmeric during the procedure. He said he would charge Rs 6,000 each time he removed fluid and blood,” the family member told mid-day. However, the surgery did not help and the victim experienced knee pain the very next day. She later received treatment from a local doctor, which, fortunately, prevented infection from setting in. The family managed to capture photos of Merchant and they subsequently approached the Oshiwara police, who initially refused to file a complaint, stating they needed permission from the DCP. Despite multiple attempts, the police didn’t act since the payment was made in cash. The family member continued, “A few days ago, I read about a Kurla woman being scammed by a fake doctor. I immediately approached both the Kurla and Oshiwara police, telling them it was the same person who had duped us.” The Oshiwara police coordinated with the Kurla police, and after confirming the family’s photo matched the description, finally registered the FIR. A police source told mid-day, “During the investigation, the Oshiwara police found that this gang was involved in cases across Vile Parle, Kurla, and Vadodara. They have also closed around 34 fake bank accounts where money was transferred.” The victim’s family told mid-day, “The police should trace and arrest these gang members. They are endangering the lives of senior citizens.”
08 November,2024 07:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania
The Maharashtra State Cyber Department, under the office of the special inspector general of police, has registered an FIR against sellers and e-commerce platforms, including Flipkart, AliExpress, TeeShopper and Etsy, for promoting T-shirts glorifying notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Dawood Ibrahim. Officials have stated that they have written to all the platforms concerned, seeking details of the customers who purchased these T-shirts and plan to seize all sold merchandise to conduct a thorough investigation. An officer from the Cyber Department added, “We are going to verify the background of all individuals [who purchased the T-shirts] because glorifying gangsters is an offence, and who knows if these people are somehow connected to them and may be working for them.” Sanjay Shintre, SP, Maharashtra State Cyber Department Officials further noted that some of the platforms’ servers are based in India, while others are located abroad, including in Ireland and the USA. “In monitoring the digital landscape for content that may threaten law and order, Maharashtra Cyber flagged these products as harmful to society,” said Sanjay Shintre, SP, Maharashtra Cyber. “We are concerned that glorifying criminal figures through apparel could distort young people’s perceptions, potentially normalising crime and violence,” he added. Maharashtra Cyber has taken serious cognisance of this issue and, in response, has registered an FIR under Sections 3, 192, 196 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the IT Act, 2000, against the sellers responsible for listing these objectionable products, as well as the platforms that hosted these listings, including Flipkart, AliExpress, TeeShopper and Etsy. “This action reflects Maharashtra Cyber’s commitment to maintaining a safe digital environment and preventing content that could destabilise,” the Maharashtra State Cyber Department said in a statement.
08 November,2024 06:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanA Raipur-based lawyer, Fayzan Khan, claims his stolen phone was used to issue a threat to Shah Rukh Khan, asserting he has no involvement in the incident, sources said. Fayzan Khan, who reported his phone stolen on November 2, recently filed a complaint with the Rajasthan and Mumbai Police against Shah Rukh Khan for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Bishnoi community. The complaint centers around a dialogue in Khan’s 1994 film Anjaam, where he says, “HARI SINGH GADI ME HIRAN PADA HAI, USE PAKA KAR KHA LENNA,” which, according to Fayzan, could create tension between the Muslim and Bishnoi communities. “I filed this complaint on October 29, and my phone was stolen in early November. Someone has used my phone to frame me in a false case after I filed the complaint against the actor,” Fayzan Khan told mid-day. Khan further revealed that two teams from the Mumbai Police came to his home intending to arrest him. However, he presented his stolen phone complaint, proving his lack of involvement in the threat case. According to Bandra Police, the threat call was made to their station’s landline on November 5. The caller allegedly said, “Shah Rukh Khan, the one at Mannat, Bandstand… if he doesn’t give me 50 lakh rupees, I will kill him.” When officers questioned the caller’s identity, he responded, “That doesn’t matter… if you need a name, write it as Hindustani.” The police while conducting its investigations had traced the call to Raipur, identifying the phone’s registration under Fayzan Khan’s name. “An offense has been registered at Bandra police station, and investigations are ongoing. No arrests have been made yet,” confirmed Dixitkumar Gedam, DCP Zone IX.
07 November,2024 10:25 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanA 20-year-old woman and her boyfriend were arrested by the Kasturba Marg Police in Borivali East in Mumbai for allegedly killing the a friend after he demanded sexual favours from the woman due to non-repayment of a loan, the police said on Thursday. According to the police, the deceased had demanded sexual favours from the woman after her boyfriend allegedly failed to repay a loan taken from the deceased. The accused were identified as Falda alias Soni Rajesh Kumar Patil (20) and Ritesh Omprakash Chauhan (25), an official said. According to the police sources, the incident occurred beneath the Sudhir Phadke Bridge on Wednesday evening. The police later arrived at the crime scene after it received a call from the police control about an injured person lying below the bridge. The victim was rushed to Dr. Baba Saheb Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali, where he was declared brought dead, said the official. The deceased was later identified as Prashant Pawar (48), a resident of Kharodi Village, Marve Road, Malad West in Mumbai. Pawar and the accused were known to each other and frequently met near the same spot where the murder took place. “Under the guidance of DCP Zone XII, Smita Patil, and API Yuvraj Inamdar of Kasturba Marg police team apprehended the accused within an hour of the crime," said an officer. During the investigation, it was revealed that Chauhan had borrowed money from Pawar, which he had not repaid. This led to ongoing arguments, fights, and verbal abuse between the two and on the day of the incident, they argued again over the unpaid loan. When Chauhan refused to repay, Pawar allegedly made an inappropriate demand for a sexual favours from the woman. Soni, who was present during the confrontation, became enraged and along with Chauhan allegedly assaulted Pawar. "A blade was also used to slit his throat, resulting in his death," said an officer from the Kasturba Marg police station. The police said that on the complaint of deceased brother we have registered an FIR and arrested the duo under various sections BNS including 103 (1), 115, and 3(5). They were produced in court on Thursday and remanded to police custody, the officer added.
07 November,2024 09:50 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe police have booked a man for allegedly molesting and cheating a 17-year-old girl from Mumbai promising jobs for her and her brother in the forest department, an official has said, reported the PTI. Accused Dhananjay Santosh Patil, a resident of Maharashtra's Jalgaon district, had met the teenager, who lives in the city's Chembur area of Mumbai, in August, according to the PTI. Patil allegedly claimed that he had high contacts in the Maharashtra forest department and took Rs 7 lakh from the teenager promising jobs for her and her brother, the official said citing the FIR. However, the jobs did not materialise, as per the PTI. Patil allegedly became evasive when the teenager asked him to return her money. During a meeting over the money, he allegedly touched her inappropriately and engaged in obscene acts, the official said, the news agency reported on Thursday. The teenager recently filed a police complaint following which Patil was booked for molestation, fraud and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official added. Man dies after sex with minor girl in Mumbai hotel; charged with rape, POCSO Act Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 41-year-old man died after having sex with a minor girl in a hotel in Mumbai's Grant Road area, a police official said on Monday, reported the PTI. The deceased, a manager with a diamond company, has been booked for rape and other offences under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on the complaint of the 14-year-old girl's mother, the official said. "He had brought the girl with him from Gujarat. The incident took place on Saturday. The hotel staff rushed him to a hospital where he died some time later. Prima facie, it seems he suffered a heart attack," the official informed, according to the PTI. "The child's mother came to Mumbai after being informed. She has told us the man had lured the child to Mumbai with a false promise. Further probe into the case is underway," the DB Marg police station official said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
07 November,2024 09:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Police's Cyber Cell has taken decisive action against e-commerce platforms and sellers involved in the sale of T-shirts that glorify notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Dawood Ibrahim, the officials said on Thursday. According to the police, a First Information Report (FIR) against several online sellers and major marketplaces was registered after the discovery of merchandise that promotes criminal figures. The police said, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, the state's central agency for cyber crime prevention and security, launched an investigation after reports surfaced about T-shirts sold online bearing images and slogans idolising individuals with criminal backgrounds. "As part of the ongoing vigilance, it has come to light that several e-commerce platforms, including Flipkart, AliExpress, and marketplaces like TeeShopper and Etsy, have been selling T-shirts that glorify notorious gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi and Dawood Ibrahim," said an official. The official added, the gangsters, Lawrence Bishnoi and Dawood Ibrahim, are associated with serious criminal activities including organised crime, extortion, and terrorism. The sale of such products raises significant concerns over the potential for influencing vulnerable individuals, particularly the youth, who may view these figures as role models. By glamorising criminals through casual apparel, the merchandise promotes a distorted and dangerous narrative that can contribute to the normalisation of illegal activities, the officials said. The police said that an FIR was registered under sections 192, 196, 353, 3 BNS, 2023, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 against the e-commerce websites. In an official statement, the Cyber Department affirmed its commitment to maintaining a safe and responsible online environment. "The Maharashtra Cyber Department actively monitors digital spaces for objectionable content on e-commerce websites, including those that have the potential to incite violence or lawlessness," the statement said.
07 November,2024 05:10 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanNavi Mumbai Crime Branch Unit 2 has arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly murdering a 60-year-old scrap dealer he had known for 15 years. The victim, identified as Yaqub Khan, was killed by Shrikant Tiwari, police said. According to officials, Tiwari was enraged by Khan’s frequent derogatory comments and accusations about his wife’s character. This anger culminated in Tiwari stabbing Khan multiple times and disposing of his body near Morbe dam in Panvel. Police reported that both the accused and the victim lived in Vavanje village, Panvel, and had known each other for over 15 years. A missing persons report for Khan was filed by his family on October 26, prompting police to launch a search. “During our investigation, we reviewed multiple CCTV recordings and discovered footage showing the accused and the deceased traveling together on a scooter toward Morbe Dam. The scooter was later found abandoned near the area, raising suspicions. On November 2, Khan’s body was also recovered near the dam,” said Ajaykumar Landge, ACP Crime Branch Navi Mumbai Police. After identifying Tiwari as a suspect, police learnt that he had fled to Madhya Pradesh and then to Uttar Pradesh, avoiding the use of mobile phones. “Our team relied on human intelligence and eventually traced him to Mungra Badshahpur in Uttar Pradesh. A trap was set in the area, leading to his arrest. He was produced in court and has been remanded to police custody for five days,” Landge added. During interrogation, Tiwari confessed that he and Khan were on their way to view a plot of land near Morbe dam, as Khan was interested in purchasing it. However, an argument broke out during the journey when Khan once again questioned the character of Tiwari’s wife. Enraged, Tiwari stabbed Khan multiple times, killing him, and then dumped the body near the dam.
07 November,2024 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanADVERTISEMENT
